Alysha Johnson

I do agree with you that with Jin Zhao personality she would not choose someone who repeatedly physically harm her. But I feel that it goes farther than that. I wonder or rather I feel that even if he wasn’t so violent and immature she wouldn’t have chosen him. I don’t know how to describe it. I agree people who are alike can heal each other but I don’t think it’s the case for them both. No matter what they give me the platonic soulmate vibe. I think that despite caring for him I don’t think she can ever love him romantically. It’s just how I see the two of them.

I find it so ironically funny that in typical Cdrama that it’s the women in the in law family that give FL a hard time. But in this drama it’s the men. They are all green eyed losers. How the hell Third Lord even grew up so fine surrounding by all that? And the nephew subplot is so stupid. They didn’t build up enough reason for him to be acting like this. I heard in the novel he and FL are much more involved.

For the upcoming episode I can relate to both FL and ML. They are both so stubborn and think they are right (which I think is realistically relatable because that’s how couples are in real life). Jin Zhao think she did nothing wrong because the nephew is so insignificant to her she didn’t think it’s worth it to tell Third Lord. But third lord is probably very jealous against his better judgement. He’s a very logical guy. I can really relate to him. But even the most logical person has a storm of emotions their logics cannot control. And instead of staying and losing control by saying or doing anything we might regret, we remove ourself from the situation momentarily so that our feeling can have space to vent and subside before our logics reign in again.

I think this nephew issues (on an emotional aspect) is difficult to digest for them both. For Jin Zhao she thought even if she say nothing, third lord must have understand she feel nothing for the nephew now. And that she love him dearly. So she find it ridiculous why third lord even feel angry at her, and she probably feel it beneath her to explain something so insignificant. For the third lord, this issue is MORE than what Jin Zhao can explain away. He has full trust that she love him and this is just the past, but he’s being hit twice in the face regardless. First unlike Ye Xian, he is absolutely blind sighted by the nephew. Second, emotionally he must have felt really jealous as well as regrets. He was married before, so he has no right to be mad at Jin Zhao. But Jin Zhao is the first person he love and he thought she is his as well. Now to find out that she love someone before him, and to have put effort to chase that person, something even he didn’t receive, I can’t blame him for being jealous. And he also know it’s illogical to be jealous - but he can’t help feeling so, and he also know he can’t take it out on her, but the jealousy probably it’s overwhelming so all he can do is to have some space.

I think this is one of those things that ultimately will blow over, but in the moment the emotions are very charged despite both knowing it’s not that serious. It’s just my personal opinion. As a calm outsider I think it’s easy for us as audience to know exactly what each character should do. But if I step inside their mind, and have their personality and feel their emotions I can understand why they both lash out against their better judgement.

That lady is from Mu family, probably the mom. 3+ years ago, the eldest son Mu something met Lan at the gathering at the Chen house where they all did the riddle. He fall for her and propose marriage but she didn't like him because he was ugly. And then she spiraled and scheme which led to all the heartache later on. At the time, Mu family went to the ML's mother to ask about Lan, but didn't want her because she's born of a concubine and ask for Jin Zhao instead. Chen mom discuss with Chen Yen Yan about this and he was visibly annoyed. I think his annoyance was what led the Mu to propose marriage to Lan, but not Jin Zhao. This was when he started to notice how he feel about Jin Zhao. Mu family will propose again now that Jin Zhao has higher position. So Lan although a concubine daughter is much more valuable than before. And the Mu guy still pine for Lan.

I don’t quite understand what you mean by “talking him down”. Do you mean she trying to calm him down or do you mean she’s talking down to him?

Secondly I think she didn’t tell him about his violence because it’s not the primary reason. At the core they are incompatible. So it’s unnecessary for her to bring it up. She don’t want him to think that if he wasn’t violent she would have chose him. I think Jin Zhao care deeply about Ye Xian like he’s her flesh and blood. And her explanation make sense. And despite him being violent and put a sword to her neck, she’s not afraid of him. She step toward the sword because she knows he won’t hurt her. Their relationship and intensity is platonic. But it’s not nothing. Even if he’s not violent I don’t think she would have chose him. Like she said they are too alike. They need partner who can heal them, not partner that allow each other to wallow in their own self pity.

In such conversations I think it was wise Jin Zhao chose to focus on what really matters the most, and not air out everything Ye Xian did wrong. He’s a flawed person, but not a bad person. Jin Zhao knows that so continues to keep him by her side. He’s like a wild cat that bite and scratch people who just trying to help.

Not all men are evil. But obviously if we going to have romance story, the man in it must be of exceptional quality and above the rest for the character to be worth fawning over. I don’t think audience knowing the history or not matter. What matter is the storytelling. And audience can and do always prefer to suspend reality because it’s reality that they are escaping while watching a show like this.

Men who are product of their time, whether historical or modern, isn't worth making and watching in a romance production ever. So no need to make one like that. The demand isn't there. This is romance. It's entertainment, not documentary.

Found this last night and just finished binging.

I really love how they ended Ye Xian's loveline in episode 28. I think it's the best I've seen in a while. This Ye Xian character and storyline is quite interesting to me. And I really appreciated the dialogue Jin Zhao had with him in episode 28. It shows a lot of maturity and mutual respect, to each other, but also to us audience too. It's quite obvious that the two of them share a special bond. Although Jin Zhao don't owe Ye Xian an explanation, she owed it herself to speak her truth. Why despite everything, Ye Xian is not the man she choose. But although he's not the romantic interest, it doesn't mean she can't ache for him and the end of their relationship, nor does it mean Ye Xian doesn't deserve closure. The both of them did. And us audience too. I thought that scene is so well done. Ye Xian is what I would call the platonic soulmate. They gravitated toward each other due to trauma, but trauma is NOT love. I appreciated how the drama made it clear.

Another thing I like about this Ye Xian's character is that he acts as the Yin to ML's Yang. He's fire while ML is ice. He's the erupting volcano, while ML is undercurrent in deep water. Both disruptive, changing force, but in direct opposite way. Ye Xian is impulsive, explosive, and ML is calculative, protective. They are two very different men, with different kind of love. But what matter is they are both sincere toward the FL. They are those who love explosive all consuming love like Ye Xian, then there are those who love the calm, gentle love like Chen Yan Yun. The contrast make the story very interesting and dynamic to watch. And it's the best when they put their smart together and work with the FL. The main couple love line is so slow burn, and yet I was not impatient at all due to Ye Xian.

I was surprised at why MZY looks "guilty" toward the FL instead of being mad. If I was MZY I would have been mad after the revelation. I think that even from his perspective, he knew that trying to break into the demon world was wrong, like breaking into someone's house? And if FL is the demon, and he's the demon hunter, he's more in the wrong for lying to her? If ML doesn't have the tragic background, I think he is in the wrong. But because he did, I thought it should have been equal.

Personally, I think FL shouldn't have been so angry with ML. I don't think he deserve it. Both lied to each other, they both responsible. From FL perspective, I think she felt like his "hiding" was an attack toward her. From ML perspective, I wonder how he truly feel about FL being a demon? I think for him, he have had 2-3 episodes to process the idea that she might be, but for FL it all came too sudden while both her friend and her world were being ATTACK at the same time? For ML even when he found out about her being a demon, nothing was really harming him. Instead it was his friends that attack their city.

I truly don't think I can take either side here although I really love the FL. It's really not right for only ML to feel guilty here. They are both responsible. Although I understand FL have the responsibility of taking care of her people. She didn't know about his past, and now suddenly she feel guilty for harboring what killed his parents. I truly think they both really nice people that love each other a lot and just need some healing. In a sense, the FL already died when she was a child, so she feel extra responsible for the demons as to repay her second at life? And the ML is still chasing toward the injustice of his parent's death.

BTW, I don't really feel annoy with SML because I skipped all his scenes and I still understand what's going on.

Okay I'm kinda loving the intensity of the second half and the identity misunderstanding here. I love how they have built up the relationship to have each other's character and inner strength as the "foundation" and not their supposedly "identity".
I am most excited to see the ML's reaction as he will be the one most tortured by the revelation due to his misguided vengeance. And the FL has been way too naive. I don't believe they can just "talk" because I don't think this ML would have accept her and see her character before her identity if she had revealed it sooner. He does seem quite a stubborn and steadfast person. So I can't wait to see how the series depict his change. Please don't disappoint me.

As for people focusing on the FL's going out at night, and ML not saying anything, I don't think ML really care about her "behavior" as so far he's more concern if there's insidious secret lying underneath. This ML is not dumb, nor he's someone who focus on normal conventions. He knew she was always acting out but knew she has a righteous heart, so he's not worry she's out there cheating or behaving "inappropriately". To him that's surface level. AND he also smart enough to know that the SML "Shu" is purposely antagonizing because if it was worth anything, she could have picked Shu, not him. He knew it was about Shu vs Him, not his wife. He's more worried about her "secret" that it's not something as shallow as having an affair. ML is a smart person so give him some credit. But even smart person can be blind-sided by love.

I know what you trying to say but FL like Lin An were all the rage in the 90s and 2000s in East Asian dramas (Taiwanese, HK, Japanese, Korean, etc.. You name it). I grew up watching this type of FL and used to love them. In fact, the strong female lead trope only gain tractions around 2013ish because people are finally tired of this damsel in distress, innocent, silly trope. But it's still a really relevant trope.

Second like I already said I do not mind this kind of FL. I love innocent FL. What matter is the character itself, whether it has enough gravitas for me as audience to care. Like Dylan and Esther previous dramas. FL were innocent and weak but she as a person has other characters that make me want to root for her. She was compassionate, hard working, and resilient.

As for Lin An up to episode 20, I do not think the writing did her justice. I understand that her type character is need to create a good juxtaposition to QXA's character and I think this is good. However, her character and execution so far has been utterly boring and uninspiring. Their mistaken identity was dragged on too long. As for Lin An, sure she get compared to her sister all the time, but why should I root for her to be better than her sister? She was not hard working and surrounded herself with yes man and only up to "tricks". She is the most "blessed" character in this story when her only "problem" was being compared to her talented sister. But she already in an advantageous position than Huaiqing by having a crown prince brother. I'm no fan of Huaiqing but being "talented" is literally life and death for her. Her position and lifestyle would have been so much worse if she was not smart and talented. And maybe she honed her "intelligence" as it is her biggest protection. Whereas for Lin An it's only a nice to have. Beside that, there's nothing redeeming about Lin An until episode 20 that show me she's compassionate, with a good heart and have courageous loyalty where it counts. I cannot empathize or root for a brat that already living a better life than her sister just by being born into it and choosing to lie instead of actually spending that time to learn to win against her sister. But I can respect a pure hearted princess who care for her aunt, and step up for her dead cousin despite the problems she will face. It's not as simple as "innocent or naive" FL. It's about having good writing and execution that make the FL like a human being that we can root for, and not a caricature.

FINALLY! The mistaken identity is OVER, and they can actually develop a good loveline and good chemistry. After XQA's speech we can finally understand why such a smart man would fall such petty trick by Lin'An. The moment he locked eyes with her for the first time, something has grew in his heart. So it was easy for him to believe that the girl he saw is the "perfect" girl everyone described, Princess Huaiqing. Honestly, that is why they said love is blind. Because if he wasn't blind then no way he would have been misled this long. She's misled him and he unconsciously wanted to be misled.

I said it before I don't mind naive, innocent male lead. For a ML like XQA who is smart and full of tricks, someone simple and full of heart is a good fit. I just didn't like the NARRATIVE they had because switch identity is so boring. The last 2 episodes are major improvements in my perspective. I did not care about this FL because there's NOTHING for me to root for her, NOTHING I can empathized with. Rich, favored daughter who acting spoiled and lying so she can win some petty poetry over her sister? I don't care for BRATS. She had every advantaged HANDED to her and yet still fumbled badly. BUT the latest episode, I can finally empathize with her. She has a big heart, and a loyal friend. Yes we can think she has big heart BUT I like to see it. It make her more human and not a character. So I love to see how their relationship grow.

After saying a bunch, I thoroughly enjoy the show WITHOUT the romance perspective. I usually do not like this type of genre but I enjoy Dylan's adventure. It's simple enough for me to follow but not so simple I already figured it out. The relationships and comrades XQA has with all people he met are very fun and endearing. Originally I do not like this type of humor but it grew on me and now I LOVE it. And frankly you know how people always complain about FL's plot armors? I freaking love XQA's love armor and it make sense why he would have them. You know how some stories make everyone like the FL? I love how they apply to the ML. This remind me of the old 2000 TBV series "Duke of Mount Deer" but without the 7 wives.

I ended up skipping most of Dylan's and FL's scenes. I felt bad so I come here to see if I'm the only one. Now I don't feel bad anymore. I don't mind naive FL or need strong FL but the romance plotline between them is SO BORING. Caiwei is cute and somewhat naive but it's so fun to see her with FL...
I thought the mind game that Dylan thought he's playing with Grand Princess was quite fun when he wrote her that poem, if only if it really IS the grand princess.
Sorry they dropped the ball on the FL character. Maybe she'll have a growth arc later but right now I don't find interesting enough to care.
P.S. I notice that two of the female characters (the Female Gold Gong, and Caiwei) are also in the previous drama series with the FL

Agreed. I love how they balance her independent nature with romance. She's not independent for independent sake, or being stubborn for stubborn sake. She's only independent because there's no one she can rely on. But when she deem someone worthy of her love, she shower him with affection, care and understanding. She accept him not because of love, but also respect. She KNOW she is capable but she appreciate his care nonetheless, and actually treat her partner like an equal and not demanding that HE have to follow her. It's very wholesome and that's why I like her character. She's a feminine girls' girl, and girls boss all in one. Have strong principles, but respect others have theirs as well. Not my way or the high way, or I'm smarter than everyone's attitude. She's strong and soft when she needs to, protect and let other protect her when she needs to. I really love her flexibility and sensibilities.
I also read somewhere that the writer/producers of this drama don't want to have Dou Zhao focused on revenge. Her return was simply to live a good life. And she indeed LIVE a good life. Balance is key.

In the original timeline, Wu grandpa was suppose to retired to make way for 5th Uncle and his cronies. Because of Dou Zhao's interference, that didn't happened so 5th Uncle and his cronies already hatch another plan. By instigating war in the North - knowing Wu grandpa and his supporters' view in this regard. They support war while the Emperor did not due to low national fund. Because Wu grandpa's words are logical, Emperor cannot outright refuse him or he can come off as unwise. This means Wu grandpa's position in court is already in danger, 5th Uncle and their cronies only need a small incident to tip Wu grandpa over - by giving Emperor an opportunity to find fault with Wu grandpa. So when Dou Zhao situation happened, 5th Uncle realized it was a good "opportunity" and lure Shougu over to cause that scene.

In regular time, this incident is "nothing". But because of Wu grandpa's position, 5th Uncle and his cronies fan the flames, and make up lies to make Shogu's crimes so much worse. This is to force Wu grandpa's hands. And also remember, Shogu is supposed to die in the original timeline. Some incidents can delay but can't totally be change. Removing him was just a matter of sooner or later.

just saw the news... very excited.. i hope this is finally ZLH breakout drama

I usually give a drama 2-3 episodes but a lot of time if i still can't get into it, hype or not be damn.. sometime we just not in the mood or the drama is not to our taste. there are many hyped dramas that i find utterly boring so ymmv.

I love the ending but a couple scenes stood out to me.
1. When Song Mu fought with the two blades of loyalty and filial piety against Song Mu's spear of revenge. This is a contrast to the first episode when Song Mu was fighting for revenge, this time he's fighting for justice.
2. I love the show often elect LIVING as the ultimate punishments for the villains rather than death. Lord Qing is confined to a small area which was what hated and the Empress is stuck in her fake marriage. They also let the stepmom live so she can spend her days is regrets. This is what we say "A life worse than dying".
3. Jiyong looking at the lone magnolia flower in the snow. I'm glad that the show didn't focus on the love triangle so I really appreciate this bittersweet last scene. It suggested that Jiyong gave up his love for Dou Zhao. Maybe in another life, he has love her and pursued her. But in this life, he gave it up for the better good. The magnolia flower in this series has been used several time for pure love - like the one Dou Zhao mom gave to her husband, or that the day Dou Zhao decided to marry Song Mu. What an elegant way to show Jiyong's pure love toward Dou Zhao.
4. The king's last walk. This character is very bittersweet. He deserve neither our piety or anger. He sacrificed his friends and many others for the stability of his kingdom. But in the end, even when he won, it feel like he lost. His final walk in the snow really drive home how lonely and cold it is to be a king.
5. I love how they CHOSE to have Ansu giving Song Han the final blow. This relationship is so short so I really don't care. But given how stupid they made Ansu acted, I'm glad they gave her back her dignity with this scene. Ansu is not perfect but she's not entirely wrong to want to believe in the best of others. However, once the blind is off, she acted decisively. And right her wrongs, and payback to those who wronged her. She's Dou Zhao's friend indeed.

sadly the only thing the king cannot fail is his kingdom, because even the king's own life is not his... there's a famous saying that said that being around a king is like being around a tiger.. the paradox of being the most powerful but the most powerless

when the couple met he was just born, and they get marry a year later, soon later FL got pregnant. So at most Jiang Meisun's son is only 2-3 years older than their daughter. it make sense

talking about jiyong... i read somewhere that people speculating that this is not his FIRST reincarnation.. this is not spoiler because i havent read the novel, just speculating for discussion purpose here...

i wonder if jiyong have like Dou Zhao the life before, because the life we saw previously they didn't know each other. maybe in that life, jiyong stayed away because he thought that was what best for Dou Zhao, and to keep her away from Song Mo? only in the end he have to admit that they are fated to be together after all.

I think when Dou Zhao came back and Jiyong was with her, I wonder if he knew she KNEW. Maybe he know but he just wanted to see what decisions she would make. other than that, i can't see how jiyong developed feelings for Dou Zhao. i hope they don't make it something cringy as jiyong developed feelings for Dou Zhao in this life because somehow she's the only one that gets him since she also came back. like that's such a cop out that make my muscle spasm just thinking about it because i cringe too hard. like no, please no